"The Sciences Sing a Lullabye" by Albert Goldbarth

Physics says: go to sleep. Of courseyou’re tired. Every atom in youhas been dancing the shimmy in silver shoesnonstop from mitosis to now.Quit tapping your feet. They’ll danceinside themselves without you. Go to sleep.

Geology says: it will be all right. Slow inchby inch America is giving itselfto the ocean. Go to sleep. Let darknesslap at your sides. Give darkness an inch.You aren’t alone. All of the continents used to beone body. You aren’t alone. Go to sleep.

Astronomy says: the sun will rise tomorrow,Zoology says: on rainbow-fish and lithe gazelle,Psychology says: but first it has to be night, soBiology says: the body-clocks are stopped all over townandHistory says: here are the blankets, layer on layer, down and down.

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